OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) refers to a method of collecting, analysing and using public data to produce strategic intelligence. This data comes from open sources: social networks, websites, forums, government databases, satellite images, etc.
Unlike traditional intelligence (eavesdropping, espionage, etc.), OSINT focuses on information which freely accessiblewithout illegal intrusion.
To find out more, read the article :
OSINT, cyber intelligence techniques at the service of your business
Differences with other methods
| OSINT | Other methods |
|---|---|
| Uses sources open and legal (e.g. Twitter, public registers) | Based on closed or clandestine sources (e.g. SIGINT eavesdropping, HUMINT espionage) |
| Available to companies, journalists and individuals | Often reserved for government agencies (CIA, DGSE) |
| Covers a broad field (media, dark web, metadata) | Target specific data (electromagnetic signals, infiltrators). |
How it works
How it worksOSINT follows a 4-phase cycle:
- Planning :
- define the objective (e.g. identify data leaks, monitor a competitor).
- map relevant sources (e.g. LinkedIn, Whois, Shodan).
- Collection :
- tools: scrapers (Octoparse), specialist search engines (Maltego, Google Dorks).
- examples: extraction of geolocalised posts on Instagram, analysis of web archives (Wayback Machine).
- Analysis :
- cross-reference data (e.g. link a Twitter handle to a GitHub profile).
- check the reliability of sources (fact-checking with TinEye or Bellingcat).
- Broadcast :
- summary in the form of reports, maps or visualisations (e.g. Palantir link diagrams).
👉 Application examples
- Cybersecurity Identification of password leaks on pirate forums.
- Journalism verification of conflict videos via EXIF metadata (e.g. surveys of the New York Times).
- Business intelligence Monitoring a competitor's activities via its LinkedIn job offers.
✔ Benefits
- Reduced cost 90 % of OSINT data is free (Recorded Future study).
- Speed real-time threat detection (e.g. data leakage customers on Telegram).
- Legality RGPD compliance if data is anonymised.
✖ Risks/limits
- Overabundance 70 % of the data collected is irrelevant (SANS Institute).
- Disinformation handling of deepfakes or metadata.
- Ethical aspects risk of mass surveillance (e.g. use by authoritarian regimes).
Best practice
- respecting ethics Avoiding the collection of sensitive personal data without consent.
- cross-checking sources Use at least 3 independent sources to validate information.
- automate tools such as SpiderFoot or OSINT Framework for greater efficiency.
- train the teams certifications such as OSINT Professional (SANS) or SOCMINT.
📊 Key figures
- 80 % of cyber attacks exploit OSINT data (CrowdStrike report).
- OSINT market: 12 billion $ by 2025 (MarketsandMarkets).
- 45 % of companies use OSINT to monitor their brands (Gartner).
